Whilst our home-finding service can be tailored to suit your specific requirements, the key stages are:

1. Preparation of a Client Property Profile

We believe that the key to successfully representing your interests lies in truly understanding your needs. We therefore start by holding a detailed discussion with you in which we can clearly ascertain your property preferences while providing guidance on what is achievable in the current market. We then prepare a unique Client Property Profile which forms the starting point for our search.

2. Search using network

Over the years we have established an extensive network of contacts which comprises estate agents, developers and private vendors. Through relentless efforts and a reputation for representing committed purchasers only, we are able to learn of properties becoming available before they are advertised.

3. Preview property and prepare shortlist

A vital element of the service we provide is the previewing of potentially suitable properties on your behalf. This is designed to save you time, expense and frustration. In many instances it even saves the estate agents' time and effort and is a further reason why they prefer to deal with us.

Having previewed the properties, we are able to discard patently inappropriate properties, unlikely qualifiers and those properties which, even with improvement, would still not meet your requirements.

4. Accompanied viewings

We are able to produce a shortlist of homes for joint inspection with you. You are then able to make productive inspections, with guidance from us, and not have your valuable time wasted by properties which seem good on paper but in reality are a disappointment.

5. Negotiation

We believe that our experience helps us to achieve the best possible terms and price for you, often more than covering the cost of the service we provide. In addition, the estate agents know that North by Northwest represents committed purchasers only and this can often tip the balance in your favour at negotiation.

6. Liaison and assistance

In our experience, even after a purchase has been agreed things can potentially go wrong. The period leading up to exchange, and then completion, of the purchase is often stressful for all the parties, not least our client. We know that our close involvement at this stage is vital to facilitating a smooth completion and ironing out potential problems. We regularly liaise with the solicitors, finance providers, surveyors, estate agents and sellers throughout this stage of the transaction.

7. Exchange and completion

We appreciate that there are many things to remember when buying or moving homes and we provide Action Checklists upon Exchange of Contracts which serve as useful reminders.

On completion, we can provide a Welcome Pack containing useful local information together with the keys to your new home.

8. Introduction to ancillary services as required

North by Northwest can make introductions to such services as solicitors, surveyors, mortgage consultants, architects, interior designers, furnishing companies, cleaning firms, removal companies and other local services which you may require. We are sometimes able to obtain more competitive quotes in respect of such services by virtue of volume referrals.